What’s included
- Meet & greet at Christchurch airport
- Private transfer to your Christchurch hotel
- 13 nights accommodation in quality Hotels and B&Bs
- Breakfast each day
- Intermediate car hire with unlimited kilometres & daily insurance
- TranzAlpine rail journey over Southern Alps
Optional highlights
- A guided heli-hike into the dramatic alpine landscape of Franz Josef Glacier
- Blow your mind with a visit to Puzzle World in Wanaka
- A vintage steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu
- Walking along the Matukituki Valley to discover views of the Rob Roy Glacier
- New Zealand’s French colony at Akaroa
- Whalewatching from Kaikoura by boat or from the air
Day 1 Arrive Christchurch
We meet your flight and transfer you to your hotel: today is free for you to get your bearings.
Day 2 Christchurch to Greymouth to Hokitika
Board the TranzAlpine train for one of the world’s great rail journeys, across the Southern Alps to the West Coast.
Arrive in Greymouth and collect your rental vehicle for an afternoon drive along the rugged coastline to Hokitika, the former gold mining town so brilliantly captured by Eleanor Catton in her book The Luminaries. The BBC dramatisation starring Eva Green was filmed in and around Hokitika, which still has a frontier feel.
Day 3 Hokitika to Fox Glacier
Travel into Westland National Park, which extends from the surf-pounded beaches of the West Coast to the stunning snow-capped Southern Alps. Head into the native rainforest of the Westland National Park through the settlement of Franz Josef to Fox Glacier Village. Many of our travellers book a thrilling helicopter flight (weather permitting) to fly over the rivers of ice and land on a snow-field.
Day 4 Fox Glacier to Wanaka
Make a morning visit to Lake Matheson, where a clear day rewards you with superb reflections of the Mount Cook range. Continue south through the ever-changing scenery of native rainforest, bush-fringed lakes, crystal clear mountain streams and wild beaches into the rugged beauty of the Haast Pass to cross the Southern Alps mountain range. Travel around the shores of glacial Lakes Hawea and Wanaka into the charming township of Wanaka.
Day 5 Wanaka
Board a paddle boat or lake cruiser to explore Lake Wanaka, or drive to the delightful Glendhu Bay for easy walks and beautiful views.
Day 6 Wanaka to Queenstown
An easy drive over the Crown Range through orchards and farmlands to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure playground and South Island’s busiest resort.
Day 7 Queenstown
There are experiences and activities to suit every thrill-level and budget in and around Queenstown. Hire a bike to explore local routes that are part of New Zealand’s National Cycle Trail. Throw yourself off a bridge whilst tied to a piece of elastic: this is the home of bungee jumping!
Day 8 Queenstown to Milford to Te Anau
It is almost impossible to visit South Island and not make the pilgrimage to Milford Sound, one of the most remotely beautiful places in the world. Most visitors opt for a coach trip, to avoid the challenging drive deep into Fiordland National Park. On your return, overnight at Te Anau.
Day 9 Te Anau to Dunedin
Roll through New Zealand’s sheep farming heartland through Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, for city sightseeing.
Day 10 Otago Wildlife Excursions
Head out to the Otago peninsula, which protects the city from southern storms and gives shelter to penguins, seals and – uniquely – the Royal Albatross. Taiaroa Heads is this majestic bird’s only mainland nesting site in the world.
About 30 pairs nest every year, and as the cycle from egg-laying to fledgling takes almost 12 months, there is always fascinating behaviour to observe.
Day 11 Dunedin to Mount Cook
Time to head north along the coast road, but pause for the Moeraki Boulders, calcite formations 65 million years old. Turn inland to Mt Cook National Park where you can enjoy short walks to Kea Point or in the Hooker Valley for wonderful views of this alpine panorama. Overnight in the country township of Twizel.
Day 12 Mount Cook to Christchurch
Stop at the church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo, one of New Zealand’s most photographed spots. Then cross the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch where you return your rental vehicle.
Day 13 Christchurch
This most English of New Zealand cities suffered a succession of terrible earthquakes in early 2011. Christchurch is re-inventing itself with typical Kiwi spirit and exciting new sights include the ‘cardboard’ cathedral and Re:START shopping mall in re-purposed shipping containers. A guided tour of the city will help you to understand the past, the present and future hopes for the city.
Day 14 Depart Christchurch
After breakfast transfer to Christchurch International Airport for your flight home.
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The Brown’s
Fantastic experience all round. All the accommodations were superb. Many thanks for your help with the doctors and pharmacies!
Julie Rhoney
I had been to a presentation and met Laura. She came across as very knowledgable and confident and she inspired me to seriously consider booking a once in a lifetime holiday.
The attention to detail given by Laura Ling was second to none I would have no hesitation in booking another holiday through Laura.
I cannot wait until I am able to return to NZ. Well, that was indeed the holiday of a lifetime… but we want a re run! There is still so much we want to see and do.
Many thanks for all your efforts, it all went swimmingly.
Mr Richardson
As you know this was my first holiday since the death of my wife, and when she was alive we had talked about adding a trip to New Zealand onto one of our visits to see our son and his wife in Sydney.
I was not sure whether I was ready to do it on my own.
I decided that the first move was to talk to someone so I spoke to John on the phone and arranged to come and have a chat. We had a long meeting and it all sounded ideal. All I needed to do was convince myself.
Once I made the decision everything was so easy thanks to you. You kept in touch right up to me going and I always felt that I had a good contact if I had a problem.
Now onto the tour. Not much to say. It was even better than I had expected. The coach and driver were top class, the hotels and food were very good and the itinerary meant we visited everywhere we needed to see New Zealand.
However, as you know the highlight of my 6 weeks away was meeting my 5 month old grandson in Sydney.
That said, I am so pleased I made the trip and even more pleased that I arranged it through Silver Fern Holidays; everything was first class.
“wonderful”
“exceeded expectations”
“exceptional driver – very experienced”
“the mix of people only added to the enjoyment”